Andy Burnham addresses social care and Thames Water

Andy Burnham is facing scrutiny over the financial implications of his proposed National Care Service. The plan aims to create a system free at the point of use, similar to the NHS, where everyone contributes and everyone is covered. Critics, including Portsmouth City Council Conservative Deputy Leader Spencer Gardner, have warned that the proposal lacks transparency regarding its total cost, drawing parallels to the political fallout from Theresa May’s 2017 social care policies.

Simultaneously, Burnham is reviewing strategies for the struggling Thames Water. The utility provider is in a deep financial crisis, requiring more than £2 billion in emergency funding from creditors. While advisers have suggested that the criteria for special administration have not yet been met, the company's insolvency raises concerns about its ability to survive into 2027. Burnham has reportedly instructed officials to move beyond existing plans and present more radical options for managing the utility to ensure the needs of Greater London and the Thames Valley residents are prioritized.